Atorvastatin ameliorated myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating macrophage polarization in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Abstract

In this editorial, we commented on the article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by myocardial fibrosis, ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients, which can cause heart failure and threaten the life of patients. The pathogenesis of DCM has not been fully clarified, and it may involve oxidative stress, inflammatory stimulation, apoptosis, and autophagy. There is lack of effective therapies for DCM in the clinical practice. Statins have been widely used in the clinical practice for years mainly to reduce cholesterol and stabilize arterial plaques, and exhibit definite cardiovascular protective effects. Studies have shown that statins also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We were particularly concerned about the recent findings that atorvastatin alleviated myocardial fibrosis in db/db mice by regulating the antioxidant stress and anti-inflammatory effects of macrophage polarization on diabetic myocardium, and thereby improving DCM.

Keywords: Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Statins; Macrophage; Oxidative stress

Core Tip: Satins are widely used in cardiovascular disease because of their effective effects to reduce cholesterol and stabilize arterial plaques. Reasonable statins contribute to reducing the morbidity rate of cardiovascular events. Studies have shown that statins also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Moreover, the researchers have found anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects of atorvastatin by regulating macrophage polarization to alleviated myocardial fibrosis and ameliorated diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice.